There’s nowhere we’d rather live than Richmond, but sometimes we feel the itch to get out of town.
Here are eight driveable destinations to check out the next time you want a low-investment, short-notice getaway. Plus, we threw in a few weekend stays.
Small-town charm
Charlottesville | Admittedly, Charlottesville isn’t the most under-the-radar suggestion. Still, it feels like there’s always more to explore, from hikes, thrift shops + farmers markets to southern barbecue, and locally made sips. Plus, have you visited Potter’s Craft Cider?
Smithfield | Shop local, dive into the town’s architectural history, and see what adventures are in store, like visiting the world’s oldest ham and oldest peanut.
Weekend trips:
Woodstock | Set in Shenandoah Valley, there are many activities to check out, especially when it comes to exploring the outdoors. Don’t miss the views from the Woodstock Tower, or maybe take a stroll at Seven Bends State Park. Our pick? Grabbing a glass of wine at Muse Vineyards.
Harper’s Ferry | Okay, okay, we know this is in West Virginia. But it’s the perfect spot for a summer day trip. If you go, we recommend spending the entire day lying out on a tube floating down the Shenandoah River. After you’ve baked in the sun, grab a beer from Harpers Ferry Brewing as you take in the views.
Exploration with education
Chrysler Museum of Art + Hermitage Museum and Gardens | Curate a day-trip focused on art and beauty with these two Norfolk museums, both near the Elizabeth River for a waterside walk.
Woodlawn + Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House | While these architectural spectacles have a deep history, they also provide stunning exteriors. After you’ve played critic for a bit, take a stroll on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, which runs right through the property.
Outdoor adventures
Great Dismal Swamp | Wildlife watchers are in for a treat at this National Wildlife Refuge on the border of North Carolina. Bring binoculars. Approximately 200 species of birds are known to thrive across the refuge’s ~113,000 acres.
Weekend trips:
Virginia Creeper Trail | A must-see destination for bicyclists, the Virginia Creeper Trail stretches 32 miles through the mountains of southwest Virginia, and it’s great for hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching. Plus, there are plenty of country cabins to rent.
Shenandoah National Park | This is a gimme, but we’d be remiss to not include it in our roundup. Maybe you’ve already visited to take in the mountain scenery for a day, but have you tried camping? Note: Some campsites will reopen in spring.
Lake Drummond is a central feature of Great Dismal Swamp, accessible via car, bike, boat, or hike.
Photo by Rebecca Wynn, via Wikimedia Commons
Eccentric finds
Pink Cadillac Diner | You’re on a stretch of open road, when all of a sudden, you land on the Pink Cadillac Diner. It’s a pit stop you’d see in a movie, and it’s a 5-minute drive from the remarkable Natural Bridge State Park.
American Celebration on Parade Museum | This unlikely museum reopens in April — a glittering graveyard of uncanny parade floats and memorabilia reflecting on some of America’s most extravagant traditions.
The President Heads | Maybe you’ve been to Williamsburg, but have you ventured to see the ominous field of once-abandoned president head sculptures? You’ll have to watch the calendar for ticketed viewing events, as this site is not regularly open to the public.
Reader recommendations
- Monticello, Charlottesville, VA
- Mount Vernon, NOVA
- Jamestown Beach + Event Park
- Lexington, VA
- Metro Richmond Zoo
- Scenic Route 5, Drive or bicycle from downtown to Charles City
